Trump’s huge tax trick

Unrepentant as always, Donald Trump bragged that he “brilliantly” used tax laws to his advantage.

Unrepentant as always, Donald Trump bragged that he...

If voters need another reason to reject Donald Trump, the candidate himself is supplying it. A bombshell revelation shows he may not have paid federal taxes for 18 years after a near billion-dollar loss in 1995.

The tax scheme isn’t denied by Trump’s campaign. It adds damaging numbers to the mystery over the billionaire developer’s financial dealings. It explains why he’s refused to make public his recent tax returns as every presidential candidate has done for four decades. He has too much to hide.

The tax dodge is another disturbing moment in a disastrous campaign. He worsened his debate performance by sending out a string of middle-of-the-night tweets attacking a Miss Universe beauty queen who criticized him. As usual, those rants carried little substantiation. His undisciplined conduct underscores the fact that he completely lacks the composure and judgment the presidency requires.

The tax disclosures are a more objective standard. Yes, it’s totally legal. His development business racked up enormous losses shown on papers sent anonymously to the New York Times. There’s little doubt about their authenticity since the financial figure who prepared the paperwork acknowledged their veracity.

Trump's 'brilliance'

Tax experts said the enormity of the loss meant it could be carried forward for up to 18 years, allowing Trump to pay nothing during that period. His supporters, angry at Washington insiders and stalled economic life, should be so fortunate as their candidate, who can deftly exploit tax laws that are far beyond an average taxpayer’s reach.

Trump’s campaign isn’t denying the mind-boggling sum. Unrepentant as always, Trump bragged that he “brilliantly” used tax laws to his advantage. Of course, when the tax return was posted, investors and contractors working with Trump took heavy losses that weren’t so easily manipulated.

Another part of his financial world received a deserved slap. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Trump’s personal foundation can’t collect donations in the state because it hasn’t legally registered.

This error is especially telling because Trump has gone after Hillary Clinton on the donations her family foundation collected while she was secretary of state. But his own conduct in operating his charitable entity is even more flawed and outside the rules.